But much as I admire our great governor, I’m not with him on flying flags at half-staff for Whitney Houston. Now let me be clear. The issue is not the biggest deal and I don’t want to make too much of it. We Americans have far greater problems to address right now. Moreover, I regard the untimely death of the pop diva as a terrible and sorrowful blow. Whitney Houston’s death is an American tragedy and she should be rightly mourned.

I will Always Love You Whitney

But flags at half-staff should be reserved principally for those who have made great sacrifices in the pursuit of selfless, patriotic service. Our celebrities get plenty of attention. Our soldiers barely get any at all. We mostly pay lip service to our support of the troops. Don’t believe me? Ask the average American how many Grammys Adele won the other night and a huge number would know the answer is six. Ask them how many soldiers died in Afghanistan since 2011 and I’d be surprised if even five percent of the population knows. (I myself had to look it up. According to Wikipedia it’s 2765 Coalition deaths as of 31 December, 2011.)

“Obviously, Whitney Houston was an important part of the cultural fabric of this state. … I think she belongs in the same category from a musical perspective in New Jersey history with folks like Frank Sinatra, Count Basie and Bruce Springsteen. She was a cultural icon in this state.”

Christie went on to add that he did not believe that Houston’s history of substance abuse “forfeited the good things she did.”

“I am disturbed by people who believe that because her ultimate demise — and we don’t know what is the cause of her death yet — but because of her history of substance abuse that somehow she’s forfeited the good things that she did in her life,” he said, according to the AP. “I just reject that on a human level.”

“What I would say to everybody is, ‘There but for the grace of God go I,’” he added.

Rabbi Shmuley’s rationale rings hollow, insincere and disrespectful of the New Jersey Governor’s decision and clearly expressed reasons for honoring Whitney Houston. A truly spiritual man might have considered how his words may have been taken by the membership of The New Hope Baptist Church in Newark, where Ms. Houston first sang but by also her family. If Whitney were a prominent Jew would the rabbi have issued a different opinion or insulted her family while they were sitting Shiva or restrained himself entirely? Oh yes, these surely are indeed interesting times, challenging times for many. Accordingly, soldiers are not the only ones who deserve our honor. New Jersey fortunately has quite capable men in charge as Governor and as the Mayor of its largest city. Newark, New Jersey, is undergoing a renaissance under Mayor Corey Booker’s leadership. Most of thew news emanating from Newark these days, even during one of the most challenging economic periods in American history, has been largely positive. For too long, this area, much like the decline of Detroit, perhaps more so, was a symbol or urban blight and decay. The few folks who emerged to local or national prominence from this region, did so while overcoming tremendous odds.

ll Always Love You Whitney Houston

This Saturday, the flags will appropriately fly at half mast for the former Newark, New Jersey native and gospel singing icon who grew to international prominence as ‘one of the greatest voices of our generation.’ While Ms. Houston faced many challenges in her life, after attaining international super stardom, whatever demons she faced are not a point of judgment for me. Ms. Houston’s battles are far too common place in the life of ordinary working Americans. Ms. Houston’s demons may have been what cut her life short, but let’s just accept and acknowledge the the music industry beast which giveth, notoriously taketh away. Mr. Houston is hardly a rarity in industry where the talent ultimately loses its way and dark forces, or the Tommy Mottola’s of the world and assorted other honcho’s and predatory scumbags live forever fat and happy lives. One might argue that they may never face the same demons because they are in fact the actual demons and predators of the cultural world.

ll Always Love You Whitney Houston

THOSE WHO SUFFER FROM ADDICTION DESERVE HUMANITY & HONOR AS WELL

I will Always Love You Whitney Houston

Some may be inclined to believe that to a certain degree the rabbi has a point. Let me clear, he does not. Whitney Houston was not just some ‘pop singer’ as the rabbi postulates in an effort to diminish her stature, but arguably the greatest voice of our time who arose from humble roots in the Newark Church community. Whitney Houston was a once in a lifetime. She was not some industry or machine manufactured talent, but nevertheless a veritable cash machine for her label. She came from god. That she was troubled, faced challenges of addiction to drugs or alcohol only makes her human and her life no less worthy of honor than that of a soldier, even if I do believe we should honor them more as well. There is absolutely no contradiction in honoring Ms. Houston. As stated by a blogger and member of our military who compared ‘The Death Of Whitney Houston Vs. The Death Of Our Troops’:

I will Always Love You Whitney Houston

“I do wonder do some people think military dependents come off as being contradictory when we scream “My hero fights for your right to be free” yet when people display those acts of freedom, somehow they don’t care about the loss of a hero or about the military at all? That being said any death is tragic. When people make comments about Whitney being the cause of her own demise and people shouldn’t mourn for her …I simply say that music brings joy to people. Music is the soundtrack to life. Music has gotten soldiers through deployments. It was Whitney’s music along with Mariah and Three Doors down who got me threw several deployments. I can’t tell you how many times I sung ” I Will Always Love You” or “All The Man” I need to my soldier via Skype and phone when he was deployed. I can relate a song of hers to every stage of my life from childhood and up. It was music that got my husband through several boring nights in his room while lonely in Iraq. At the end of the day everyone including our troops leaves behind a legacy and so be the same with Whitney. While you may not hear it on the news a service member’s death leaves behind a legacy of freedom and sacrifice to protect family and country. Whitney left the legacy of a beautiful voice that many will remember as part of special moments in their lives.”

In this world, we crush, kill and destroy with a vengence but love, adore and admire with reluctance. My friends that must change. The courageous action taken by Governor Chris Christie exhibited a righteous moral clarity whereas the the ‘Publicity Mad and Egomaniacal Rabbi Schmuley Boteach’, the allegedly spiritual man, offers precisely the opposte, verbal DREK or what some might consider pseudo intellectual indifference. As for me, I judge not anyone else’s pain or suffering, the basis therefor or how they got there. For the many who suffer in public, there are countless others in our lives who suffer alone. Many turn to addiction sadly. It is a reality of modern life. And for those who have more resources and access, only greater ability to destroy god’s gifts bestowed on them. That is why I say, as we reflect on the loss of those who have truly added to humanity, we should also consider reaching out to someone who is in pain in silence and alone somewhere in the world tonight. Many of our prized and forgotten citizens can use a little more love free of rationalized judgments.

ll Always Love You Whitney Houston

RABBI SHMULEY’S TOOLERY IN DISHONORING NJ. NATIVE

I will Always Love You Whitney Houston

The fame seeking rabbi makes his living and has gained his notoriety off of being the ‘rabbi to the stars’, promoted rather arrogantly as ‘America’s Rabbi’. Rabbi Shmuley, the man with a curious background and lust for the limelight, illustrates that he just might be engaged in some political shenanigans as well. You see the fame missile recently announced his intent to run for Congress in New Jersey. Is this perhaps the rationale for his verbal mishagas in trying out the right wing cliche about ‘honoring the troops.’ Are those who go through the journey of the dark night of the soul and meet their maker sooner than expected somehow less worthy or honor or dignity? Houston was in effect gunned down on the battle field of life. Would she be more worthy of dignity had she died in an unrighteous war? Whitney Houston’s unfortunate and untimely death and Chris Christie’s courageous and righteous decision to honor a woman who was arose from humble gospel singing Newark roots to international prominence, was not only bold and brave but also quite righteous. In providing her a final dignity in her home state, Chris Christie has in effect served as Whitney Houston’s final bodyguard on her way out of our lives. Voters have long memories. I suspect that many, regardless of their political affiliation will remember this decision. As for Shmuley, all I can say is that I know of very few spiritual leaders who walk the red carpet at black tie events and who find the need to comment in the celebrity section of magazines, periodicals and webzines and who promote themselves so aggressively and then take time to write a blog questioning a decision to honor a local hero on the eve of her funeral service. He should thank the culture of celebrity, which he is a part of, which continues to provide a platform for him to air his commentary. As I asked above, if Whitney Houston were a prominent Jew would the rabbi have issued a different opinion or insulted her family while they were sitting Shiva? I do not think so. You expect more from those who pose as learned and spiritual men of the cloth but then again you understand when they said individual is but a politician and spiritual huckster who morally pontificate’s for profit and aspires to the halls of Congress.

The creepy porno watching rabbi known for his books on ‘Kosher Sex’ and proponent of the Kosher Sutra, might stick to providing his intimacy advice on television as he does below:

Nevertheless, put a fork in the rabbi because he is done, at least in my eyes and perhaps many others in this part of the world. Rabbi Schmuley, you make me sick to my stomach.